Former Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Samuel Awuku, has called for urgent reforms in Ghana's lottery sector, urging Parliament to tighten regulations against illegal lottery operators and ensure that proceeds from legal operations are optimally utilised for national development.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Awuku revealed that illegal lottery activities account for approximately 60% of Ghana's lottery market, depriving the state of millions in revenue annually.
He noted that the current penalties under the National Lotto Act, 2006 (Act 722) are insufficient to deter illegal operators, as they can afford to pay fines and return to their activities. "The proliferation of unlicensed operations denies the state millions of cedis in revenue every year.
Unfortunately, the existing law imposes fines or short-term imprisonment, which have not been deterrent enough.
